It struck be that it might be a fun idea to get together a YWS collective booklist!
This would be a list of books that we as a family/community consider "must-reads" - whether they're classical, contemporary, realistic or fantasy, kids, young adult or adult - books that you think that we should all read. Even if we got like forty or fifty books on it, and then people can pick and choose the ones that they want to read, and then come September we can look back and think "Wow, I'm so much better read than I was back in May!"
I am proposing this system:
1. Somebody recommends a book using the format below.
2. Two other members second this book to go onto the list.
3. Book goes on the list which I will be compiling as we go along!
You can recommend books that you've read yourself and want to recommend to others, or things you are planning on reading this summer!
Use this pro forma to nominate a book:
Spoiler! :
I'll get the ball rolling with two nominations myself:
Title: Anna Karenina
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Genre: Classic fiction
What's it about? Anna Karenina is a beautiful Russian aristocrat married to a quite famous politician. But she begins an affair that is altogether pretty destructive with a young, fairly intense soldier by the name of Count Vronsky. Alongside her story is the story of Levin, a rich young man who lives in the Russian countryside and is in love with Anna's sister in law, Kitty.
Why you should read it: Anna Karenina is considered one of the best novels of all time, and that alone makes it one you should put in your pile. Despite being a bit of a leviathan, the prose is very easy to read and the characters really keep you on your toes. It is an incredibly rich, complex book,
This book would suit you if: If, like me, you're going to have a lot of time on your hands without the internet, then this is one to put in your suitcase, because (depending on your edition) it is between 600 and 800 pages long, and the characters have three different names each! It might be for a slightly older crowd, but who knows? Also, if you're @Meshugenah.
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction
What's it about? Hazel Lancaster is a sixteen year old with terminal papillary thyroid cancer whose only real friends are her parents and America's Next Top Model, until she meets Augustus Waters, a seventeen year old recovering from osteosarcoma following a below-knee amputation at Cancer Kids Support Group. A love story ensues.
Why you should read it: Even though it's a modern book aimed at a teen audience, Green doesn't spare on language or themes. This book is chock-full of big questions, memorable quotes and tear-jerkers. Plus, there's a movie coming out next month and it is sure to be one of the books of the summer, so if you haven't read it then you'd better so you can talk to your friends knowledgeably about it!
This book would suit you if: I think this would suit essentially all ages (although maybe PG-13). It would especially suit you if, like me, you think a lot of "cancer books" really romanticise it - this book's portrayal of the disease is really realistic and pretty raw.
So, if you would like to second my suggestions, or make your own, then go right ahead! I'd love to hear what you guys think
-Stella x
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